Thanks for making this vid! Really insightful. Regarding the volume, can you confirm that: - Alpha 31 expanded == 36L - Org kit = 2,5L each so total 5L - Tad Double Booster = 1L So overall, we can reach 40-42L?
To get full setup you have to pay ~800$ because both Org Kits and TAD Double Booster are limited and not produced anymore. But it looks soooooooooo slick and versatile. I just can't pass on it. Hope I won't be disappointed in the end.
@@CityTrekker yes, I do. And it's amazing, IMHO. For my particular use-case of "do it all backpack without obvious compromises". EDC/Travel (in company of a personal item). Both great. Smaller in EDC-mode than my Aer City Pack in xPac. And feels as light. And as good for travel as minaal or so. Mb not as spacious, but close. Booster pod on the side of the hip-belt -> a very smart idea of yours, to keep an iphone or so. Easy to detach altogether. Possible issues - I though, that UVX40 could be an issue, but seems like xPac gets fuzzier and wearing down at the bottom slightly fister, than I expected. I'm too gentle with this backpack, so will see how this limit edition holds up. Hope the warranty will cover in case of smth. - There are significant quality issues between batches. I own one from the good batch and one from the "bad one" (mollie is not straight). And "the better batch" is even nicer, better sizing all around (flap gets caught not as often, laptop zipper garage is bigger and not "crushed by zipper" and other misc things). Without saying, that mine came with a tear inside of that "front mesh pouch liner". I still believe, that Phil's supervision/QA is very important and somewhat slacking off, but he is "genious/perfections engineer out of this realm", so it's understandable :D
Good point. Technically, the water bottle pockets are not included in the total liters of the bag on the specs, just to point that out. And each Org Kit is 2.5L, which I think is more space than you could normally use the water bottle pocket for. And you could still use the water bottle pocket, but obviously not for very large objects. Still, I think the Org Kits adding 5L of space is more than you'd get from using the two water bottle pockets.
@@CityTrekker I ended up finding one ATD1. I really like the design (after spending 20min or so adjusting the straps for my use). But I don't like the Cordura 500d material. So after I'm back from a trip next week I will order this 2nd production Alpha 31. One thing that I couldn't find info about either for this or the ATD1, is if the laptop screen somehow can get damaged by added pressure (being no divider between main compartment and sleeve).
I managed the various straps by purchasing YYST 1" elastic web keepers from Amazon and sewing them to fit each strap (2 on the shoulder strap webbing and 4 on the side, compression strap webbing). I also found someone “experimenting with … tri-glides to wrangle the compression straps.” (tri-glide strap adjuster) I like - and would have preferred - this tri-glide approach, but I had already completed my modification, which works well for me. I'd recommend the tri-glide experiment for the side compression straps; I'd stick to the elastic web keepers for the shoulder strap webbing. I suspect the tri-glides may add friction the action of compressing (with elastic web keepers, the webbing slides through without any additional friction).
The UVX 40 surprised me tbh I didn’t think id like it as much as I do. It has become my daily driver
Yeah I like it a lot more than I expected I would too.
Good review of this bag, but damn, your collection pouches and accessories is on another level.
Hahaha. Thanks.
Thanks for making this vid! Really insightful. Regarding the volume, can you confirm that:
- Alpha 31 expanded == 36L
- Org kit = 2,5L each so total 5L
- Tad Double Booster = 1L
So overall, we can reach 40-42L?
To get full setup you have to pay ~800$ because both Org Kits and TAD Double Booster are limited and not produced anymore. But it looks soooooooooo slick and versatile. I just can't pass on it.
Hope I won't be disappointed in the end.
Do you have it yet? What do you think?
@@CityTrekker yes, I do. And it's amazing, IMHO. For my particular use-case of "do it all backpack without obvious compromises". EDC/Travel (in company of a personal item). Both great. Smaller in EDC-mode than my Aer City Pack in xPac. And feels as light. And as good for travel as minaal or so. Mb not as spacious, but close.
Booster pod on the side of the hip-belt -> a very smart idea of yours, to keep an iphone or so. Easy to detach altogether.
Possible issues
- I though, that UVX40 could be an issue, but seems like xPac gets fuzzier and wearing down at the bottom slightly fister, than I expected. I'm too gentle with this backpack, so will see how this limit edition holds up. Hope the warranty will cover in case of smth.
- There are significant quality issues between batches. I own one from the good batch and one from the "bad one" (mollie is not straight). And "the better batch" is even nicer, better sizing all around (flap gets caught not as often, laptop zipper garage is bigger and not "crushed by zipper" and other misc things). Without saying, that mine came with a tear inside of that "front mesh pouch liner".
I still believe, that Phil's supervision/QA is very important and somewhat slacking off, but he is "genious/perfections engineer out of this realm", so it's understandable :D
hey adam, any clean/sleek ways to manage excess compression strap? saw RE sells ones for the shoulder straps
What pants are you wearing?
Since the org kit additional space removes the space of water bottles, is that kind of a wash in terms of additional storage / space ?
Good point. Technically, the water bottle pockets are not included in the total liters of the bag on the specs, just to point that out. And each Org Kit is 2.5L, which I think is more space than you could normally use the water bottle pocket for. And you could still use the water bottle pocket, but obviously not for very large objects. Still, I think the Org Kits adding 5L of space is more than you'd get from using the two water bottle pockets.
I'm on the market looking for an used ATD1. If I cannot find one this could be a good alternative.
It depends on your use case, but I definitely lean toward the Alpha 31.
@@CityTrekker I ended up finding one ATD1. I really like the design (after spending 20min or so adjusting the straps for my use). But I don't like the Cordura 500d material.
So after I'm back from a trip next week I will order this 2nd production Alpha 31.
One thing that I couldn't find info about either for this or the ATD1, is if the laptop screen somehow can get damaged by added pressure (being no divider between main compartment and sleeve).
What do you recommend for strap management? Bag seems great but lots of loose straps...
I managed the various straps by purchasing YYST 1" elastic web keepers from Amazon and sewing them to fit each strap (2 on the shoulder strap webbing and 4 on the side, compression strap webbing).
I also found someone “experimenting with … tri-glides to wrangle the compression straps.” (tri-glide strap adjuster) I like - and would have preferred - this tri-glide approach, but I had already completed my modification, which works well for me.
I'd recommend the tri-glide experiment for the side compression straps; I'd stick to the elastic web keepers for the shoulder strap webbing. I suspect the tri-glides may add friction the action of compressing (with elastic web keepers, the webbing slides through without any additional friction).
I’d say use it for a while with the existing strap management and see what works and what doesn’t for you, then get strap keepers where needed.
Enjoy the aesthetic, but this is one of those bags that just has too much going on for my taste.
It feels overwhelming and intimidating until you push through and use it. Once I used it for a couple days I quickly liked it and understood it.